Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced that he reviewed the Cincinnati Metro video in the Sunday, August 7th police involved shooting on Government Square in downtown Cincinnati and found the shooting to be justified. Attached to this release is a letter addressed to Cincinnati Homicide from Prosecutor Joseph Deters clearing the officer in this incident.

This case will not go to a Hamilton County Grand Jury. The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has instructed the Cincinnati Police Department that they can now distribute the video as they see fit.

Cincinnati Police responded to the Kroger store located at 1420 Vine Street at approximately 7:27 a.m. for a report of an armed robbery. When the police responded, Kroger security reported that a shoplifter attempted to leave the store without paying for his items and when confronted by security he pulled a knife on the security guard. The security guard let him leave and called 911. Cincinnati Police responded to the store and interviewed the security guard and watched the store video showing the armed robbery.

The police proceeded to Government Square in search of the armed robber. When they got to Government Square, they saw him walking near the bus stop and pulled their car up near him. Before Officer Tony Brucato, who was driving the car, was able to get out of the vehicle the suspect, now known as Jawari Porter, jumped into the police car armed with a folding lock blade style knife and started to try to stab Officer Brucato. Officer Brucato was able to pull his service weapon and fire 6 shots. Officer Galligan, who was riding in the passenger seat, jumped out of the car to assist Officer Brucato and was able to pull Porter off of Officer Brucato.

The knife was recovered at the scene.

Officer Brucato and Officer Galligan were both wearing their bullet proof vests. Officer Brucato suffered an abrasion on his forearm. Officer Galligan was not injured.

The Hamilton County Coroner pronounced Porter dead at the scene from gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.

Prosecutor Deters commented, “This is a justified shooting. After threatening a Kroger store employee with a knife, he did not hesitate to try to stab a Cincinnati Police officer who did not even have an opportunity to get out of his vehicle. It is clear this assailant attempted to cause serious physical harm to Officer Brucato.”